The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-02-10
WHOLE NO. 14s

Valheu' DuG your bill should not be
considered by Congress in a sympa.
thetic spirit only, for as business
proposition it certainly has great mer-
it and commercial Importance, not
only valuably to the South Atlantic
coast, but to the great and growing
West even beyond the Mississippi Val
ley, and the very heart of the produc-
tive part of the United States.
Charleston is three hundred miles
nearer Kansas City than New York,
and with the improvement proposed
in your bill would have every advan-
tage for export in the staple products
that covld be obtained at our Northen
ports. | recently had call from
gentlement who represents foreign
company, who are contemplating put
ting on line of steamers from some
OF our Atlantic ports south of Balti-
more, and they had gone so far as to
open negotiations with certain rail
road companies, whose lines termi-
nate on the coast east of Charleston.
and l promptly and strongly urged
the advantages of Charleston and they
became much interested, and they
agreed to hold matters in abeyance
until | could give them further assur-
ance. They are themselves large ex-
porters and their contemplated con-
tracts provided for 10000 tons of their
own freight annually, They are very
large exporters in American woods,
Qumber, logs, &C. and they have
large lumber interests along our
proposed railway in North Carolina
and Tennesse, and are much interest
ed in our success, | give you below
a copy Of letter / have just received
from the representative referred to:
"GLAsGow, Nov. 20, 1886.
OWN. H. ScHoFIELD-Dear Sir:
Many thanks for your favor of Nov. IS,
re. Charleston. l have pleasure in
sending you a copy of my report OF
my visit, which may interest you, and
| would ask your special attention to
the last clause. (This clause refers to
the construction of the Carolina, Cum
berland Gap and Chicago Railway snd
transportation question: My friends
are very keen to start their line, and
want me to authorize the purchase of
a steamer to put on their line right
away in connection with another line.
So If you can come over with defn-
ite proposition to draw steamship and
the freight we control to your line
and Charleston, it would be we'll for
our mutual interests. A limited sub
sidy Of, say 100000 from the railway
and port, may be requisite to secure
such high class OF service and steam
ers as to do business of the port and
railroad justice, and to draw large
traffic to the port and your railway.
need not to poin out, however, how
great would be the material benefit to
Charleston and your system if good
fast line was runnig across the Allan
tic, so as to make it possible for you to
book Chicago and Western freight on
through bills Indeed it would a sine
qua non of your success.
You and probably aware Of the ac-
QUESTION OF the lnman Line by the
Pennsylvania Railway Company at
heavy cost, at heavy cost, and the
same benefits would come to your line
and Charleston in connection with
other steamship lines, and anticipa-
ting the pleasure of very shortly see
ing you here, ! am. yours faithfully,
"ARTHUR A. GovAN.p
have given this party the names
OF the financial house with whom /
have arranged to finance our securi-
ties for the building OF our line at an
early day, and they are very confident
OF our success, and will render us yal-
liable assistance in consumating the
plan, which will be carried out lust as
soon as can complete my work here
and return to London. In order to
, secure to secure the foreign steamship
service that | have described, the city
i, OF Charleston would be required to
give evidence of its importance as a
{ port OF export and disposition to en-
courage and permanently support the
facilities for which she is well fitted
. and needs so much. And would be
very glad if you would advise and as
sist me in obtaining such statistics
and expressions from the different ex-
changes and citizens of Charleston as
would aid me further promoting this
!, important measure. i
!, Yours respectfully,
VIM. II. ScHoFIELD.
Enjoy Life.